Women’s U20 World Championship qualification update

As a result of an intervention by government authorities in Serbia, the Women’s U20 World Championship qualification match between Serbia and Kosovo scheduled for 23 March (16:00 hrs) could not be played.

Given the security issues around the match and on the advice of police authorities in the country, the qualification event had already been moved to Belgrade's Kovilovo Sport Center complex from the original venue in Kragujevac, Serbia.

In order to ensure the safety of all those involved in the event, the match was to have been played behind closed doors and without the presence of spectators and media representatives.

Under the circumstances of the match cancellation and the failure of Serbia to play the game, the EHF has decided that the Serbian national team will be excluded from further participation in the event.

Based on the information available to the EHF, the remaining matches between Norway, Slovakia and Kosovo are expected to be played without any further issues.

The schedule of the remaining matches, without Serbia’s participation, remains unchanged for the three-day event.

The EHF remains in contact with its representatives in Belgrade as well as officials from the Serbian Handball Federation.